Everything About Alimony in New Jersey: Who Gets It, How Much, and For How Long?

Achieving financial independence after a divorce is one of the biggest challenges many people face. In New Jersey, the legal system provides for 'Alimony' or 'Spousal Support' to address this. The goal of alimony is to help a spouse who was financially dependent during the marriage to maintain a similar standard of living and become self-sufficient after the divorce.

Who Is Eligible for Alimony?

Alimony is not awarded automatically. The court will order alimony when it determines that one spouse has a financial need and the other has the ability to pay. Either spouse can request alimony, regardless of gender, if they are in a lower-earning or non-earning position.

Factors the Court Considers for Alimony

There is no set formula in New Jersey. Instead, the court comprehensively reviews 14 statutory factors to determine the amount and duration of alimony, including:

• The length of the marriage
• The age and health of both parties
• The income, employment history, and earning capacity of each party
• The standard of living established during the marriage
• The financial needs of each party
• Parental responsibilities for the children
• The equitable distribution of property
• The contributions of each party to the marriage (both financial and non-financial)

Types of Alimony in New Jersey

New Jersey law recognizes several types of alimony to fit different circumstances:

• Limited Duration Alimony: The most common type, paid for a specific, set period. It generally applies to marriages of less than 20 years.
• Open Durational Alimony: For long-term marriages (20 years or more), alimony may be awarded without a specific end date. (It can be modified upon certain events, such as the payor's retirement).
• Rehabilitative Alimony: Short-term support designed to help a spouse acquire education or job training to become self-supporting.
• Reimbursement Alimony: Awarded to a spouse who financially supported the other's pursuit of an advanced degree or career development.

Alimony is a critical component of your post-divorce financial planning. To ensure a fair outcome that reflects your circumstances, it is essential to prepare thoroughly with the guidance of an experienced attorney.